Augmenting
processing of information objects transferred among processors within a network.
Processing is performed by a process, or processor, (called a "
robot") at any point in the network where an
information object is transferred, or where the object resides. By allowing
processing at source, destination and at "interim" points between the source and destination, the ability to add functionality, services, control and management of objects and object transfers is greatly enhanced. The robots, can reside at any point in the
system. A
robot can be local to an end-user's computer, can reside on a content source
server, or can be on another computer, processor, storage location or device on the network. Any type of
processing can be performed by the robots. For example, access rights can be maintained so that certain attributes and values of information objects are restricted on a per user, per
machine, chronological or other basis. Robots can use conditions which, when satisfied by attribute / value pairs within a specific object, or conditions which are satisfied by other, external, conditions, trigger specific processing. The processing can include one or more objects, other
information processing,
software or hardware control functions, etc. Information can be appended to objects. Statistics on object use, publication, subscription or transfers can be compiled. Groups of robots can operate in cooperation. Robots can share information.